Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Raiders Week 10 game with Seahawks Wire
How do the Seahawks replace the huge losses on the OL? What to expect from Drew Lock? And does the Dark Side defense have a weakness? I get the answers.
The 2023 NFL season kicks off with the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Seattle Seahawks at the Las Vegas Raiders' home stadium. USA Today's Seahawks Wire reporter, Kole Musgrove, shared his insights on what fans can expect from the Seahawks during their Week 10 matchup. Musgrove addressed several key factors that could impact the outcome of the game.
Firstly, Musgrove addressed the absence of key players Charles Cross and Quenton Nelson from the Raiders' offensive line. While acknowledging their absence, Musgrove reassured readers that the impact might not be as severe as first anticipated. He explained that Grey Zabel, who moved from left guard to right guard after Quenton Nelson's injury, is a veteran who has started every game of his professional career except for one, where Nelson played.
Musgrove also noted that Josh Jones, the backup left tackle, is a solid replacement for Cross, ensuring the Raiders' offensive line remains functional despite the setback.
Next, Musgrove weighed in on Drew Lock's performance as Seattle's starting quarterback. He acknowledged that Lock's two victories this season against the Cardinals were notable, but also pointed out that he played a significant portion of the game against the Patriots while recovering from an injury. Musgrove believes Lock has proven himself to be a competent starter, capable of guiding the Seahawks to victory.
He commended the offensive coordinator for employing simpler, ball-security-focused offenses under Lock, ensuring the quarterback's safety.
Turning to the Seahawks' defensive line, Musgrove highlighted the "Dark Side" defense as one of the team's strengths. However, he expressed concern over the defense's struggles in the red zone, conceding that they allow touchdowns at a higher rate when facing opponents. Musgrove pointed to turnovers as a contributing factor, suggesting that the defense is forced to defend shorter fields more frequently, making their job more challenging.
Musgrove then provided under-the-radar player recommendations for both teams. On defense, he highlighted Rylie Mills as an emerging talent, who replaced Leonard Williams after the All-Pro's injury. Mills' performance against the Patriots' offensive line in the Super Bowl showcases his potential to impact the game. On offense, Musgrove praised tight end AJ Barner, acknowledging that he is well-versed in the Seahawks' system and is starting to receive more playing time under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury.
Finally, Musgrove made his prediction for the game's outcome. He selected the Seattle Seahawks as the winners, citing their desperate need for a win and the Raiders' status as a rebuilding team. Musgrove believes that Seattle's offense, bolstered by Lock, Jones, and a healthy running back, will outperform the Raiders' defense. Additionally, Musgrove believes that Mendoza's erratic play style and lack of preparation for the Seahawks' defense will contribute to the Raiders' struggles, potentially leading to a narrow 24-21 victory for the Seahawks.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
